AMTSociety Mx Logs Update

Remembering Bill O’Brien
Thanks to all of you for the cards, letters, and flowers that were sent to the William “Bill” F. O’Brien family. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to all.

Bill will be very sorely missed and conspicuous in his absence.

Director Ken MacTiernan, chairman of the AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition, and Tom Hendershot are in the process of working with the O’Brien family to make a perpetual plaque for the competition in O’Brien’s honor.

State of AMTSociety
The AMTSociety IA Renewal program is continuing its arduous schedule. If you are in a town on the schedule, please try and get to the program. They are very informative; we have great SME technical speakers. There is a seat waiting for you.

The Chapter bylaws are being reviewed and updated by directors George R. Miller Jr. and Jim Sparks. Upon completion, their recommendations will be sent to the entire board of directors for approval and then disseminated to you.

The second AMTSociety Scholarship Fundraising Golf Tournament will be held March 9 in Las Vegas prior to the Aviation Industry Expo. It will be at Rio Secco Golf Club, 2851 Grand Hills Dr., Henderson, NV 89052. Haggan Aviation is once again sponsoring the tournament. For more details contact Cindy Sewick at (303) 792-0688, Ext. 33, or visit www.hagganaviation.com.

I would like to take this time and opportunity to wish each of you and your loved ones a very safe and prosperous new year. Stay safe.

Corporate sponsor: Abaris Training Resources
Founded in 1983, Abaris started as a small research and development company specializing in advanced composite materials and processes, mostly serving the aerospace composites industry.

Headed by William “Bill” L. Murphy, a small group of former Lear Fan employees brought their specialized skills, knowledge, and experience of advanced composites to Abaris, offering a variety of capabilities to the booming composites industry.

In the mid-1980s Abaris added a two-week course in advanced composite tooling to complement the fabrication and repair training that had initially been offered. In 1988 Michael J. Hoke joined the Abaris staff and was tasked with overseeing the training side of the business. In 1989 Hoke and Murphy formed a business partnership and the training division was officially created.

Upon Murphy’s death in 1991, Hoke became president and sole owner of the business. In 1991 a new training facility was established in Southeast Reno, NV, (the current headquarters) with a devoted classroom, layup room, grinding/trim-room, and a large workshop area.

Since the mid-1990s Abaris has more than doubled the size of its Reno facility, and added locations in Griffin, GA (25 miles south of Atlanta), and Cwmbran, Wales.

AMTSociety Director: Joseph C. Hawkins
On Nov. 15, 2008, Joseph C. Hawkins was inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame. Hawkins is the only AMT and the youngest living individual to be so honored.

A federally certificated A&P technician with an Inspection Authorization (IA), Hawkins was baptized early into aviation as the grandson of a World War II Navy pilot. He is a U.S. Army veteran and served as a CH-47 Chinook helicopter flight engineer with the 101st Airborne Div. His awards include Army Air Crewman Wings, Good Conduct, and Army Commendation Medals.

He began his civilian aviation career with Stevens Aviation in South Carolina where he was responsible for the inspection and repair of general aviation/corporate class fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.

In 1991 Hawkins became the chief aviation maintenance technician for the State of Tennessee, Department of Transportation. Based in Nashville, he was responsible for the airworthiness and safety of a mixed fleet of piston and turbine powered aircraft.

Hawkins earned his Bachelor of Science in aviation maintenance management (1999) and Master of aerospace education (2003) degrees from Middle Tennessee State University.

In 2003 Hawkins received the NBAA’s Aviation Maintenance Technician Safety Award. In 2005 he was chosen as Tennessee’s AMT of the Year, followed by selection as the FAA’s Southeast Region AMT of the Year. In 2006 he became the first Tennessean to earn the National AMT of the Year Award. Currently he is a professor of aerospace at Middle Tennessee State University.

AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition
As of December there are 20 teams that have committed to the second annual AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition (MSC) that will be held during Aviation Industry Expo, March 10-12, in Las Vegas.

Director Ken MacTiernan, chairman of the AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition (MSC), spoke at Air Mobility Command (USAF) headquarters at Scott AFB on Dec. 4, 2008. He spoke to aircraft maintenance commanders about the MSC and AMTSociety’s Scholarship Awards. There is strong interest in the USAF entering the competition. MacTiernan explained the structure, design, and process of the MSC as well as the orientation meeting held on March 9, 2009, that allows all competing AMTs to meet face to face with the judges for the events as well as physically view the competition area.

“One question that was asked that stood out was when I was asked how many teams can the USAF enter?,” MacTiernan says. “The USAF understands the concept of the MSC and is looking forward to coming to Las Vegas. I would like to thank Lt. Col. Thomas Kauth, Lt. Col. George Mitchell, Col. Robert Miglionico, and the USAF for the opportunity to talk about the MSC and their hospitality.”